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Atmosphere
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Measuring Personal Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Dosimetric Techniques
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Measuring Personal Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Dosimetric Techniques

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Air Quality and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (7 December 2020) | Viewed by 27222

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Anna-Maria Siani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: applied meteorology to the conservation of the cultural heritage; atmospheric constituents; UV radiation; Brewer spectrophotometry; climatology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organizing a Special Issue entitled "Measuring Personal Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Dosimetric Techniques" for the open-access journal Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433; CODEN: ATMOCZ; https://www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere; Impact Factor: 2.046). Based on your high-quality work and experience in the assessment of personal exposure to solar UV radiation using dosimetric techniques, we warmly invite you to submit a manuscript for publication in this Special Issue.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is often characterised in terms of global irradiance, i.e., radiation impinging on a horizontal surface, as measured by ground-based instruments or estimated from satellite radiometers. These data can provide only partial information about individual exposure to solar UV radiation owing to different orientations of the body parts to the sun and the sky, and daily variations of both the ambient dose and exposure behaviour. Epidemiological evidence has shown that excessive UV exposure is a risk factor for health disorders (skin, eye, immune system, etc.). On the other hand, UV radiation also brings beneficial health effects associated with vitamin D synthesis, endorphins production, the prevention of some types of internal cancer, etc.

Positive and negative effects make the assessment of UV anatomical exposure challenging. For these reasons, specific dosimetric techniques are required to better quantify the UV dose received by anatomic sites.

If this topic is of interest to you, you may send your manuscript now or up until the deadline (7 December 2020).

Prof. Anna-Maria Siani
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • UV radiation;
  • Personal solar UV exposure measurements;
  • Dosimetric technique;
  • Badge sensors;
  • Anatomical site.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 474 KiB  
Article
Satellite-Based Personal UV Dose Estimation
by Todd C. Harris, Laurent Vuilleumier, Claudine Backes, Athanasios Nenes and David Vernez
Atmosphere 2021, 12(2), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12020268 - 17 Feb 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3996
Abstract
Epidemiology and public health research relating to solar ultraviolet (UV) exposure usually relies on dosimetry to measure UV doses received by individuals. However, measurement errors affect each dosimetry measurement by unknown amounts, complicating the analysis of such measurements and their relationship to the [...] Read more.
Epidemiology and public health research relating to solar ultraviolet (UV) exposure usually relies on dosimetry to measure UV doses received by individuals. However, measurement errors affect each dosimetry measurement by unknown amounts, complicating the analysis of such measurements and their relationship to the underlying population exposure and the associated health outcomes. This paper presents a new approach to estimate UV doses without the use of dosimeters. By combining new satellite-derived UV data to account for environmental factors and simulation-based exposure ratio (ER) modelling to account for individual factors, we are able to estimate doses for specific exposure periods. This is a significant step forward for alternative dosimetry techniques which have previously been limited to annual dose estimation. We compare our dose estimates with dosimeter measurements from skiers and builders in Switzerland. The dosimetry measurements are expected to be slightly below the true doses due to a variety of dosimeter-related measurement errors, mostly explaining why our estimates are greater than or equal to the corresponding dosimetry measurements. Our approach holds much promise as a low-cost way to either complement or substitute traditional dosimetry. It can be applied in a research context, but is also fundamentally well-suited to be used as the basis for a dose-estimating mobile app that does not require an external device. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Measuring Personal Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Dosimetric Techniques)
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26 pages, 11041 KiB  
Article
Use of Electronic UV Dosimeters in Measuring Personal UV Exposures and Public Health Education
by Martin W. Allen, Neil Swift, Kathryn M. Nield, Ben Liley and Richard L. McKenzie
Atmosphere 2020, 11(7), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11070744 - 14 Jul 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4731
Abstract
The performance limits of electronic ultraviolet (EUV) dosimeters, which use AlGaN Schottky photodiodes as the ultraviolet radiation (UVR) sensing element to measure personal erythemally weighted UVR exposures, were investigated via a direct comparison with meteorological-grade reference instruments. EUV dosimeters with two types of [...] Read more.
The performance limits of electronic ultraviolet (EUV) dosimeters, which use AlGaN Schottky photodiodes as the ultraviolet radiation (UVR) sensing element to measure personal erythemally weighted UVR exposures, were investigated via a direct comparison with meteorological-grade reference instruments. EUV dosimeters with two types of AlGaN Schottky photodiode were compared to second-generation ‘Robertson–Berger type’ broadband erythemal radiometers. This comparison was done by calculating correction factors for the deviations of the spectral responsivity of each instrument from the CIE erythemal action spectrum and for deviations in their angular response from the ideal cosine response of flat surfaces and human skin. Correction factors were also calculated to convert the output of these instruments to vitamin D-weighted UV irradiances. These comparisons showed that EUV dosimeters can be engineered with spectral responsivities and cosine response errors approaching those of Robertson–Berger type radiometers, making them very acceptable for use in human UVR exposure and sun safety behaviour studies, provided appropriate side-by-side calibrations are performed. Examples of these calibrations and the effect of EUV dosimeter sampling rates on the calculation of received erythemal UVR doses and erythemal UVR dose rates are provided, as well as brief descriptions of their use in primary skin cancer prevention programmes, handheld meters, and public health displays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Measuring Personal Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Dosimetric Techniques)
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8 pages, 1344 KiB  
Article
Measurements of UV—A Exposure of Commercial Pilots Using Genesis-UV Dosimeters
by Katarzyna A. Baczynska, Simon Brown, Adrian C. Chorley, Andrey Lyachev, Marc Wittlich and Marina Khazova
Atmosphere 2020, 11(5), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11050475 - 7 May 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4520
Abstract
A number of studies suggest that pilots are at twice the risk of melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancers than the general population, and that they have a raised mortality from melanoma. No conclusive links with in-flight exposure to ionising radiationor circadian rhythm disruption [...] Read more.
A number of studies suggest that pilots are at twice the risk of melanoma and keratinocyte skin cancers than the general population, and that they have a raised mortality from melanoma. No conclusive links with in-flight exposure to ionising radiationor circadian rhythm disruption due to the pilots’ shift work were found. Possible over-exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) may be implicated as pilots may be exposed to higher UV-A levels at cruise altitude compared with those at ground levels. The direct method of making in-flight spectral measurements has been carried out on a limited number of flights, but this technique is challenging; the use of small wearable sensors may be more appropriate but there are a few issues that should be addressed for their use in cockpit measurements. While the spectral response of sensors for erythema effective values usually closely matches the corresponding weighting function, the response of UV-A sensors may not be spectrally flat, which, if not corrected to account for the transmission of the aircraft windshield, could potentially result in large errors. In this paper, the spectral correction method was applied to the UV-A sensor of the Genesis-UV unit to measure UVR exposure of commercial pilots on 312 flights to a range of destinations from four UK airports from September 2016 to August 2017. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Measuring Personal Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Dosimetric Techniques)
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15 pages, 2199 KiB  
Article
Measured UV Exposures of Ironman, Sprint and Olympic-Distance Triathlon Competitors
by Nathan J. Downs, Taryn Axelsen, Alfio V. Parisi, Peter W. Schouten and Ben R. Dexter
Atmosphere 2020, 11(5), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11050440 - 27 Apr 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3157
Abstract
Triathletes present an extreme case of modelled behaviour in outdoor sport that favours enhanced exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. This research presents personal solar ultraviolet exposures, measured using all-weather polysulphone film dosimeters, to triathletes during the distinct swimming, cycling and running stages of [...] Read more.
Triathletes present an extreme case of modelled behaviour in outdoor sport that favours enhanced exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. This research presents personal solar ultraviolet exposures, measured using all-weather polysulphone film dosimeters, to triathletes during the distinct swimming, cycling and running stages of competitive Sprint, Olympic and Ironman events conducted within Australia and New Zealand. Measurements of exposure are made for each triathlon stage using film dosimeters fixed at a single site to the headwear of competing triathletes. Exposures are expressed relative to the local ambient and as absolute calibrated erythemally effective values across a total of eight triathlon courses (two Ironman, one half Ironman, one Olympic-distance, and four Sprint events). Competitor exposure results during training are also presented. Exposures range from between 0.2 to 6.8 SED/h (SED: standard erythema dose) depending upon the time of year, the local time of each event and cloud conditions. Cycle stage exposures can exceed 20 SED and represent the highest exposure fraction of any triathlon (average = 32%). The next highest stage exposure occurred during the swim (average = 28%), followed by the run (average = 26%). During an Ironman, personal competitor exposures exceed 30 SED, making triathlon a sporting discipline with potentially the highest personal ultraviolet exposure risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Measuring Personal Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Dosimetric Techniques)
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Review

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29 pages, 4311 KiB  
Review
Review on Occupational Personal Solar UV Exposure Measurements
by Alois W. Schmalwieser, Giuseppe R. Casale, Alfredo Colosimo, Susanne S. Schmalwieser and Anna Maria Siani
Atmosphere 2021, 12(2), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12020142 - 23 Jan 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5087
Abstract
During leisure time, people can decide if they want to expose themselves to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation and to what extent. While working, people do not have this choice. Outdoor workers are exposed to solar UV radiation (UVR) on a daily basis. This [...] Read more.
During leisure time, people can decide if they want to expose themselves to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation and to what extent. While working, people do not have this choice. Outdoor workers are exposed to solar UV radiation (UVR) on a daily basis. This may pose a certain health risk, which can be estimated when the personal solar UVR exposure (PE) is known. During past decades, a variety of studies were conducted to measure PE of outdoor workers and our knowledge of the PE of outdoor workers has increased remarkably. As shown by this review, studies clearly indicate that PE of most outdoor workers exceeds the internationally proposed threshold limit value, which is comparable to 1.0 to 1.3 standard erythema dose (SED), respectively, to 1.1 to 1.5 UV Index received over one hour. Besides working in a high UVR environ, monotonic workflow (limited movement, nearly static posture) is a risk factor. In such cases, PE can be higher than ambient UVR. In this review, we provide also a list of milestones, depicting the progress and the most important findings in this field during the past 45 years. However, in many respects our knowledge is still rudimentary, for several reasons. Different measuring positions have been used so that measured PE is not comparable. Few studies were designed to enable the extension of measured PE to other locations or dates. Although the importance of a proper calibration of the measuring devices in respect to the changing solar spectrum was pointed out from the beginning, this is often not performed, which leads to high uncertainties in the presented PE levels. At the end of our review, we provide some key points, which can be used to evaluate the quality of a study respectively to support the design of future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Measuring Personal Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Dosimetric Techniques)
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11 pages, 954 KiB  
Review
The Early Days of Personal Solar Ultraviolet Dosimetry
by Brian Diffey
Atmosphere 2020, 11(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11020125 - 22 Jan 2020
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4782
Abstract
In the early 1970s, environmental conservationists were becoming concerned that a reduction in the thickness of the atmospheric ozone layer would lead to increased levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at ground level, resulting in higher population exposure to UV and subsequent harm, especially [...] Read more.
In the early 1970s, environmental conservationists were becoming concerned that a reduction in the thickness of the atmospheric ozone layer would lead to increased levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation at ground level, resulting in higher population exposure to UV and subsequent harm, especially a rise in skin cancer. At the time, no measurements had been reported on the normal levels of solar UV radiation which populations received in their usual environment, so this lack of data, coupled with increasing concerns about the impact to human health, led to the development of simple devices that monitored personal UV exposure. The first and most widely used UV dosimeter was the polymer film, polysulphone, and this review describes its properties and some of the pioneering studies using the dosimeter that led to a quantitative understanding of human exposure to sunlight in a variety of behavioral, occupational, and geographical settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Measuring Personal Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Using Dosimetric Techniques)
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